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Abstract

Over the past decade, infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms have increased. The limited availability in treatment options for these infections prompted both the UK to create a five-year antimicrobial resistance strategic plan to stimulate the development of new antibiotics, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America to call for ten new antimicrobial agents to be developed by 2020. Ceftazidime-avibactam is a combination of a third-generation cephalosporin and a synthetic, non-β-lactam, β-lactamase inhibitor (BLI) approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in early 2015 and received marketing authorisation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in April 2016. The addition of avibactam to ceftazidime expands its spectrum of activity to include Ambler class A, C, and some class D, β-lactamases in Enterobacteriaceae resistant to carbapenems and ceftazidime alone. Under the United States Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN) Act, ceftazidime-avibactam was granted approval for treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) and complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs) based on data from phase I and II clinical trials. Phase II clinical trials showed ceftazidime-avibactam to have similar microbiological efficacy when compared to imipenem-cilastatin for treatment of cUTIs (70.4% vs 71.4%; –1.1; 95% confidence interval (CI): –27.2% to 25.0%) and similar clinical efficacy, when combined with metronidazole, compared to meropenem for the treatment of cIAIs (91.2% vs 93.4%, –2.2%; 95% CI: –20.4% to 12.2%). In phase III clinical trials, ceftazidime-avibactam combined with metronidazole was non-inferior to meropenem for treatment of cIAIs (82.5% vs 84.9%, –3.5; CI: –8.6 to 1.6) and non-inferior to doripenem for treatment of cUTIs (70.2% vs 66.2%, 4.0; CI: –2.4 to 10.4). In patients with cUTIs, ceftazidime-avibactam was found to be superior to doripenem for microbiological response (77.4% vs 71.0%, 6.4; CI: 0.3 to 12.6). In patients with combined cIAIs and cUTIs owing to ceftazidime-resistant Gram-negative organisms, overall clinical cure was similar between the ceftazidime-avibactam and best available therapy treatment groups (91.0%; CI: 85.6 to 94.7 vs 91.0%; CI: 85.9 to 95.0). Additional data from phase III clinical trials are forthcoming and are expected to provide additional insight on the use of ceftazidime-avibactam for the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia. This article will provide a general overview of the current published data on ceftazidime-avibactam, from its basic chemical profile to clinical efficacy and safety.

Original submitted: 16 September 2016; Revised submitted: 14 February 2017; Accepted for publication: 1 March 2017.

Source: CDC / Science Photo Library

Ceftazidime-avibactam is a new cephalosporin and β-lactamase inhibitor combination antibiotic that received marketing authorization by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in April 2016. Ceftazidime-avibactam has variable activity against non-lactose fermenters including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, a Gram-negative bacteria (micrograph, pictured).

Key points:

Avibactam is a novel non-β-lactam β-lactamase inhibitor;

By inhibiting many serine β-lactamases, avibactam restores the activity of ceftazidime against many Enterobacteriaceae;

Limited data from phase II and III clinical trials support its use for patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections and complicated urinary tract infections with insufficient treatment options;

Use should be reserved for patients with limited to no options for the treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negatives;

Further studies are warranted to assess its clinical efficacy for treatment of bacteraemia and nosocomial pneumonia owing to carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae or multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Introduction

Developing new antimicrobial agents is one of the seven key areas for action in the UK five-year antimicrobial resistance strategy[1]. Ceftazidime-avibactam is a new cephalosporin and β-lactamase inhibitor combination antibiotic that received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in February 2015 and marketing authorisation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in April 2016[2]. It is one of seven new antimicrobials since the introduction of the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s call to action with the “10 x ’20” initiative to improve the antimicrobial pipeline[3],[4]. This new antimicrobial has activity against some multidrug-resistant isolates including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), which were categorised as “an urgent threat”, and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, categorised as a “serious threat”, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[5]. Ceftazidime-avibactam was designated a Qualified Infectious Diseases product eligible for fast-track review. Given the potential to respond to an unmet medical need, the FDA approved the antibiotic combination in February 2015 based on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses, phase II clinical data, and the prior efficacy and safety data of ceftazidime monotherapy[2]. This article is a review of the published data on ceftazidime-avibactam including the mechanism of action and resistance, spectrum of activity, pharmacokinetics and dynamics, and clinical efficacy and safety.

Chemistry, structure and function

Ceftazidime is a third-generation, semisynthetic cephalosporin. It is a pentahydrate of (6R, 7R,Z)-7-(2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(2-carboxypropan-2-yloxyimino)acetamido)-8-oxo-3-(pyrindium-1-ylmethyl)-5-thia-1-aza-bicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylate (see Figure 1)[2],[6]. The 2-aminothiazole group at the R1 side chain improves the binding affinity for penicillin-binding protein (PBP)-3 of Gram-negative organisms[7],[8]. In addition, the α-carbon dimethylacetic acid group and propylcarboxy side chain groups improve the potency against Pseudomonas aeruginosa[7],[8].

Figure 1: Chemical structure of ceftazidime

Ceftazidime is a third-generation, semisynthetic cephalosporin

Avibactam is the first non-β-lactam β-lactamase inhibitor (BLI). The structure is a diaza-bicyclo octane core instead of the β-lactam core used by tazobactam and sulbactam (see Figure 2)[2],[6].

Figure 2: Chemical structure of avibactam

Avibactam is the first non-β-lactam β-lactamase inhibitor (BLI). The structure is a diaza-bicyclo octane core instead of the β-lactam core used by tazobactam and sulbactam

Mechanism of action

The mechanism of action of ceftazidime is well known and, like other cephalosporins, it inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis. Ceftazidime binds to and inhibits penicillin-binding proteins that prevent the final transpeptidation step of peptidoglycan synthesis in the bacterial cell wall[2]. Avibactam inhibits many serine β-lactamases by covalently binding and inhibiting the enzymes. Unlike the currently available β-lactam BLIs, including tazobactam, the bond is slowly reversible via deacylation, allowing some recycling of avibactam[9],[10].

Susceptibility testing

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for ceftazidime-avibactam can be performed by either microbroth dilution or disk diffusion[2]. The Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) susceptibility breakpoint for ceftazidime monotherapy is set at 4mg/L or lower for Enterobacteriaceae and 8mg/L or lower for P. aeruginosa[11]. However, neither CLSI nor the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) currently have breakpoints set for ceftazidime-avibactam[11],[12]. The only interpretive criteria are from the FDA for Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa (see Table 1)[2]. The FDA recommends minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values are determined with a fixed concentration of 4μg/ml of avibactam[2].

Table 1. FDA susceptibility interpretive criteria

Minimum inhibitory concentration (mg/L)

Zone diameter (mm)

Organism

Susceptible

Resistant

Susceptible

Resistant

Enterobacteriaceae

≤ 8/4

≥ 16/4

≥ 21

≤ 20

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

≤ 8/4

≥ 16/4

≥ 18

≤ 17

Antimicrobial activity

Avibactam can inhibit Ambler class A (e.g. TEM, SHV, and CTX-M), C (ex. AmpC) and some class D (e.g. OXA-48) β-lactamases[8],[13],[14],[15],[16],[17]. By binding to and inhibiting enzymes in these classes, the Gram-negative activity of ceftazidime is restored (see Table 2).

Enterobacteriaceae

Ceftazidime-avibactam is active against a wide variety of Enterobacteriaceae including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter spp.[13],[14],[15],[16],[17]. With the addition of avibactam, most large in vitro studies have demonstrated MIC90 concentrations significantly lower than ceftazidime monotherapy and below the FDA breakpoint for ceftazidime-avibactam[13],[14],[15],[16],[17]. For E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates producing class A extended spectrum β-lactamases including TEM, SHV and CTX-M, avibactam signficantly reduces the MIC90 for ceftazidime; for some isolates over 256-fold[13],[14]. Avibactam restores ceftazidime activity against Citrobacter and Enterobacter spp. producing chromosomal class C cephalosporinases[13]. Against a collection of 42 K. pneumoniae isolates producing KPC carbapenemases, avibactam was effective at restoring activity to ceftazidime for all strains[15]. In addition, ceftazidime-avibactam was active in vitro against Enterobacteriaceae isolates producing class D OXA-48 carbapenemases[16],[18].

Non-lactose fermenters

Ceftazidime-avibactam has variable activity against non-lactose fermenters including P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii[19]. Avibactam restored ceftazidime activity for P. aeruginosa strains with derepressed AmpC enzyme production[19]. However, ceftazidime-avibactam only had limited activity against strains with OXA-related ESBLs or up-regulated efflux pumps[19]. In a global survelliance study of urinary tract isolates, ceftazidime-avibactam was only active in vitro against around 50% of P. aeruginosa isolates that were nonsusceptible to ceftazidime or meropenem[20]. Ceftazidime-avibactam did not have better in vitro activity than ceftazidime monotherapy for a collection of 51 carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii producing a variety of different OXA β-lactamases[19].

Against a collection of 54 Burkholderia cepacia complex isolates from patients with cystic fibrosis, the addition of avibactam improved the activity of ceftazidime from 9% susceptible to 67% susceptible[19].

Anaerobes

Ceftazidime-avibactam has limited activity against anaerobic bacteria[21]. Compared to ceftazidime monotherapy, the MIC90 for Bacteroides fragilis was significantly reduced (>128 to 16)[21]. However, for other Bacteroides species, Fusobacterium species and other anaerobes, the activity of ceftazidime-avibactam was limited[21]. Combination therapy with metronidazole generally found additive or indifferent effects[21].

Gram-positive organisms

Similar to ceftazidime monotherapy, ceftazidime-avibactam has limited activity against Gram-positive isolates. The MIC90 for β-haemolytic streptococci was 0.5mg/L but was significantly higher for Staphylococcus aureus (MIC90 >32mg/L)[20].

Resistance

Avibactam does not inactivate Ambler class B metallo-β-lactamases or many of the OXA enzymes (e.g. OXA-23, -40, -51, and -58) so organisms producing these types of enzymes will be resistant to ceftazidime-avibactam[19],[26]. As stated above, some multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates demonstrate resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam. In one investigation of ten different MDR isolates, the mechanisms most responsible for ceftazidime-avibactam resistance were discovered to be diminished outer membrane permeability and/or overexpression of efflux pumps[27]. The first case report of ceftazidime-avibactam resistant KPC-3-expressing K. pneumoniae isolates was recently reported in the literature but the exact mechanism of resistance has yet to be elucidated[28]. The frequency of spontaneous resistance in experimental models with P. aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae were low and related to point mutations at avibactam’s binding site[29],[30].

Pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics

The pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime are well known and will not be discussed in detail here[31],[32]. The pharmacokinetics of avibactam were assessed in phase I clinical trials[33],[34]. In healthy adults, avibactam plasma concentrations are directly proportional to the increases in dose. Avibactam has a volume of distribution of 20 to 24L, a half-life of 1.5 to 2.7 hours, ~8% protein binding, and a renal clearance of 10.4 to 13.8L/hr[33][34],[35],[36],[37],[38]. It is predominately renally excreted as unchanged drug. The clearance of avibactam is decreased with decreasing renal function; therefore, dosage adjustments are warranted for patients with renal impairment and dosages should be administered after haemodialysis on dialysis days[2]. Table 3 summarises the pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime and avibactam at steady state following a two-hour infusion. The pharmacokinetics of both ceftazidime and avibactam are similar and simultaneous administration of both agents does not impact their individual pharmacokinetic profiles.

Similar to other cephalosporins, the best predictor of efficacy and antimicrobial activity of ceftazidime is the percentage of time that plasma concentrations of free (unbound) drug exceeds the MIC (f T > MIC). For cephalosporins, f T > MIC of ≥50% has been associated with clinical and microbiological efficacy[2],[6],[36],[38]. Avibactam alone lacks antimicrobial activity and thus MICs cannot be used to determine acceptable concentrations[6],[36],[38]. However, it has been proposed that the percentage of time of the dosing interval that free BLI concentrations are above the threshold concentration (f T > CT) is the pharmacodynamic target for avibactam[6],[36],[38]. CT is the concentration of BLI that must be maintained in combination with a β-lactam to inhibit bacterial growth[36],[38]. Data from neutropenic mouse lung and thigh P. aeruginosa infection models suggest avibactam efficacy f T > CT of ≥20%–40%; CT = 1µg/mL[40]. When avibactam is combined with ceftazidime, the pharmacodynamics of the combination take on the same properties of the β-lactam when the concentration of the BLI is at, or above, the CT[36],[38]. From this data, it was determined that ceftazidime 2g-avibactam 0.5g infused over two hours every eight hours would have ≥98% probability of target attainment for MICs up to 8mg/L[36],[38]. This value decreases to approximately 50% and 1% for MICs of 16mg/L and 32mg/L respectively[36],[38].

Clinical efficacy trials

Two phase II clinical trials were conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of ceftazidime-avibactam in the treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative organisms[41],[42]. The first study was a prospective, randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00690378) comparing ceftazidime 500mg-avibactam 125mg administered as a 30-minute infusion every 8 hours with imipenem-cilastatin 500mg administered as a 30-minute infusion every 6 hours for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) in hospitalised patients[41]. Adult patients were included if they were diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis or another cUTI owing to Gram-negative organisms. Patients with a cUTI caused by an organism with known resistance to either of the study drugs were excluded. Treatment duration was 7 to 14 days (subjects were permitted to switch to oral ciprofloxacin or alternative oral therapy after a minimum of four days of intravenous therapy). The primary endpoint was microbiological response five to nine days after the last dose of study medication (test-of-cure; TOC) in the microbiologically evaluable (ME) population. Secondary endpoints included microbiological response at the end of intravenous therapy and four to six weeks post therapy (late follow-up; LFU) in the ME population, along with clinical response at the end of intravenous therapy, TOC, and LFU in the clinically evaluable (CE) population[41].

Overall, 137 patients were randomised to receive one of either study drug. Baseline characteristics were similar between both groups: average age ~47 years old, a primarily female population (~75%), and over 60% with a primary diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis. In the ME population, the most commonly isolated uropathogen was E. coli (>90%). Only three patients in the ceftazidime-avibactam arm and four in the imipenem-cilastatin arm had positive blood cultures; all identified as E. coli. The ME population consisted of 27 patients in the ceftazidime-avibactam group and 35 in the imipenem-cilastatin group. The CE population included 28 and 36 patients in each group respectively, and 46 and 49 patients respectively in the modified intention-to-treat (MITT) population[41].

The primary endpoint, favourable microbiological response at TOC in the ME population, was obtained in 19/27 (70.4%) patients in the ceftazidime-avibactam group and 25/35 (71.4%) patients in the imipenem-cilastatin group (observed difference –1.1%; 95% CI: –27.2% – 25%). Favourable microbiological response at the end of intravenous therapy was 25/26 (96.2%) and 34/34 (100%) patients respectively, and 15/26 (57.7%) and 18/30 (60%) patients respectively at LFU. A favourable clinical response in the CE population was obtained in all patients in both groups at the end of intravenous therapy. At TOC, a favourable clinical response was seen in 24/28 (85.7%) patients in the ceftazidime-avibactam group and 29/36 (80.6%) patients in the imipenem-cilastatin group; and 20/27 (74.1%) and 24/36 (66.7%) patients respectively at LFU[41].

Lucasti et al. conducted a phase II, prospective, randomised, double-blind, active-controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00752219) evaluating ceftazidime 2,000mg-avibactam 500mg administered as a 30-minute infusion every eight hours metronidazole 500mg infused over one hour every eight hours, versus meropenem 1,000mg every eight hours placebo (to maintain blinding) for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs) in hospitalised adults[42]. Patients with evidence of a cIAI requiring surgical intervention and antibiotics were included. Patients were excluded if the infection was caused by an organism with known resistance to the study drug, if they had an acute physiological assessment and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score of >25, and if they were unlikely to respond to up to 14 days of treatment. Treatment duration was 5 to 14 days; patients were permitted concomitant vancomycin, linezolid or daptomycin for suspected or documented Gram-positive infection. The primary outcome was clinical response in the ME group two weeks after the last dose of study medication (TOC). Secondary outcomes included clinical response in the CE group at the end of therapy, TOC and four to six weeks post therapy (LFU)[42].

Overall, 204 patients were randomised. Baseline characteristics were similar between both groups with a predominantly male population. The most common site of infection was the appendix and stomach/duodenum, with rates of surgical procedures consistent between both groups. The CE population consisted of 87 patients in the ceftazidime-avibactam metronidazole group and 90 in the meropenem group. The ME population included 68 and 76 patients in each group respectively[42].

Favourable clinical response in the ME population, the primary outcome, was observed in 62/68 (91.2%) patients in the ceftazidime-avibactam metronidazole group and 71/76 (93.4%) patients in the meropenem group at TOC (observed difference –2.2%; 95% CI: –20.4% – 12.2%). Within this population, 43 patients (26 ceftazidime-avibactam metronidazole and 17 meropenem) had pathogens that were non-susceptible to ceftazidime alone (MIC >8mg/L). All but two of these patients had a favourable microbiological response. In the CE population, a favourable clinical response at the end of therapy was seen in 84/87 (96.6%) and 87/89 (97.8%) patients respectively. These rates were only slightly lower in both groups between TOC and LFU[42].

More recently, three Phase III studies have been published: RECLAIM 1 and 2 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01499290 and NCT01500239), RECAPTURE 1 and 2 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01595438 and NCT01599806), and REPRISE (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01644643). These studies assessed the efficacy and safety of ceftazidime-avibactam in the treatment of cIAIs, cUTIs, and the treatment of infections due to ceftazidime-resistant Gram-negative organisms respectively[43][44],[45]. RECLAIM was a prospective, randomised, double-blind, comparative study assessing the efficacy of ceftazidime 2,000mg-avibactam 500mg administered as a 2-hour infusion every 8 hours metronidazole 500mg infused over 1 hour every 8 hours, versus meropenem 1,000mg administered as a 30-minute infusion every 8 hours for the treatment of cIAIs requiring surgical intervention or percutaneous drainage[43]. Matched placebos were administered accordingly. Patients with traumatic bowel perforation, necrotising pancreatitis, ischaemic bowel without perforation, and simple cholecystitis or appendicitis without rupture were excluded. Treatment duration was 5 to 14 days; patients were permitted concomitant vancomycin, linezolid or daptomycin for suspected or documented Gram-positive infection. Treatment could be discontinued if patients received at least five days of study drug and showed clinical signs of improvement. The primary endpoint, clinical cure at 28 to 35 days post randomisation (TOC), was assessed by non-inferiority, in the microbiologically modified intention-to-treat (mMITT), MITT and CE populations. Secondary endpoints included clinical response at the end of treatment (EOT) and 42 to 49 days post randomisation (LFU) and microbiological response at EOT, TOC, and LFU. Additionally, efficacy of ceftazidime-avibactam metronidazole, and meropenem alone, were assessed in patients with ceftazidime-resistant organisms[43].

A total of 1,066 patients were randomised to one of either study group. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups with a mean duration of therapy of 8 days. In the primary endpoint, clinical cure, ceftazidime-avibactam metronidazole was found to be non-inferior to meropenem in the mMITT, MITT and CE populations [82% vs 85%, –3.5; CI: –8.6 to 1.6], [83% vs 85%, –2.4; CI: –7.0 to 2.1], and [92% vs 93%, –0.8; CI: –4.6 to 2.9] respectively. Clinical and microbiological responses were not evaluated for non-inferiority; however, the results were similar to the primary endpoint. Interestingly, patients with moderate renal impairment who received ceftazidime-avibactam metronidazole had lower clinical cure rates compared to those who received meropenem [45% vs 74%, –29.1; CI: –50.5 to –5.4]. The authors of the study contributed this difference to the possibility of insufficient dosing in a small subset of patients with rapidly improving renal function. Clinical cure among both groups with infections due to ceftazidime-resistant and -susceptible organisms were similar[43].

RECAPTURE was a randomised, double-blind, double-dummy study assessing the efficacy of ceftazidime 2,000mg-avibactam 500mg administered as a two-hour infusion every eight hours versus doripenem 500mg administered as a one-hour infusion every eight hours for the treatment of cUTIs or acute pyelonephritis[44]. Although removed from the market in Europe in 2014 due to efficacy and safety reasons in the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia, doripenem is available in the United States for treatment of cUTI and acute pyelonephritis. Patients with urinary obstruction, renal abscess, prostatitis, or Crcl 30mL/min or on haemodialysis were excluded. Treatment duration was 10 days (14 days in patients with concomitant bacteraemia). Patients were allowed to switch to oral ciprofloxacin or sulfamethoxazole-trimethroprim after ≥5 days of intravenous therapy. FDA-defined co-primary endpoints included: resolution of symptoms at day five and combined resolution of symptoms/microbiological response at TOC in the mMITT. The EMA-defined primary endpoint was microbiological response alone at TOC in the mMITT population. Secondary endpoints included microbiological response at EOT and LFU and clinical cure at EOT, TOC and LFU[44].

In the primary efficacy analysis a total of 810 patients were randomised to one of either study group. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups. The majority of patients (70%) had pyelonephritis and approximately 8% had concomitant bacteraemia. E. coli was the most common pathogen isolated. In the mMITT population, ceftazidime-avibactam demonstrated non-inferiority for both FDA-defined primary endpoints [70% vs 66%, 4.0; CI: –2.4 to 10.4], [71% vs 65%, 6.7; CI: 0.3 to 13.1], and superiority for the EMA-defined primary endpoint of microbiological response at TOC [77% vs 71%, 6.4; CI: 0.3 to 12.6]. Microbiological response at LFU was higher with ceftazidime-avibactam, consistent with the findings in the EMA-defined primary endpoint at TOC. Clinical cure at EOT, TOC and LFU were similar between the groups. For ceftazidime non-susceptible pathogens, microbiological eradication was lower when compared to ceftazidime-susceptible pathogens, but similar between treatment groups [64% vs 60%, 4.0; CI: –11.1 to 18.8 and 82% vs 73%, 8.6; CI: 2.0 to 15.1]. Unlike RECLAIM, patients with impaired renal function receiving ceftazidime-avibactam did not demonstrate lower cure rates. However, renal dosing adjustments in this study differed from those used in RECLAIM owing to possible underdosing[44].

REPRISE was the first randomised trial that assessed the efficacy of ceftazidime-avibactam, compared to best available therapy, in patients with cUTIs or cIAIs due to ceftazidime-resistant Gram-negative organisms (Enterobacteriaceae or P. aeruginosa with intermediate or resistant ceftazidime susceptibility per CLSI criteria or resistant per EUCAST criteria)[45]. A total of 333 patients were randomised to one of either treatment group. The majority of patients had cUTIs. Baseline characteristics (including causative pathogens and infection type) were similar between treatment groups. Ten patients with cUTIs had concomitant bacteraemia; no patients with cIAIs had bacteraemia.

The most commonly isolated organisms were Enterobacteriaceae, specifically E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Of the Enterobacteriaceae urinary isolates, 97% were ceftazidime-resistant (MIC ≥8mg/L) and 2% were presumed resistant to ceftazidime-avibactam (MIC ≥8mg/L). Of the P. aeruginosa urinary isolates, all but one was ceftazidime-resistant (MIC >16mg/L) and 9/14 (64%) were presumed resistant to ceftazidime-avibactam (MIC ≥8mg/L). All urinary isolates in the best available therapy group were susceptible to applicable therapy.

In patients with cIAIs, 95% of Enterobacteriaceae were resistant to ceftazidime and 100% were considered susceptible to ceftazidime-avibactam. In the ceftazidime-avibactam treatment group, only one P. aeruginosa isolate was presumed resistant to ceftazidime-avibactam. In the mMITT population, overall clinical cure at TOC in patients with cUTIs and cIAIs was similar between both treatment groups [91%; CI: 85.6 to 94.7 vs 91%; CI: 85.9 to 95.0]. Similar results were seen in the separate cUTI population [92%; CI: 86.3 to 95.4 vs 94%; CI: 89.3 to 97.2].

In the cIAI population, clinical cure was 8/10 (80%) in the ceftazidime-avibactam group vs 6/11 (55%) in the best available therapy group. Carbapenems (imipenem and meropenem) were the most often used in the best available therapy group. Favourable microbiological response in the cUTI population, at TOC, was higher in the ceftazidime-avibactam treatment group [82%; CI: 75.1 to 87.6 vs 64%; CI: 56 to 71.9]. In this treatment group, 7/9 patients with presumed ceftazidime-avibactam resistant P. aeruginosa had a favourable microbiological response, possibly due to the high concentrations of the drug in the urine. For patients with cIAIs, favourable microbiological response was assumed from the clinical response. However, due to the small number of patients with cIAIs, interpretation of these results is limited[45].

A phase III trial evaluating ceftazidime-avibactam for treatment of nosocomial pneumonia including ventilator-associated pneumonia (NCT01808092) has been completed and is awaiting publication[46].

Safety and tolerability

In all Phase I, II, and III studies, ceftazidime-avibactam was well tolerated[33],[34],[41][42],[43],[44],[45]. In the cIAI studies, adverse events (AEs) were similar between both treatment groups; 45.9% of patients in the ceftazidime-avibactam group and 42.9% in the meropenem group, with the majority being mild to moderate in severity[42],[43]. Serious adverse events (SAEs) occurred in 7.9% and 7.6% of patients respectively[43]. Types of AEs were similar between both groups; however, there were more cases of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain in the ceftazidime-avibactam metronidazole group[42],[43]. In the cUTI studies, AEs were similar between the ceftazidime-avibactam group and doripenem group (36.2% vs 31% of patients respectively), with the most commonly reported AEs being constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and headache[41],[44]. In the Phase II cUTI study, SAEs occurred in 4.1% and 2.4% of patients respectively, and 3/6 SAEs in the ceftazidime-avibactam group that were considered to be drug-related were renal failure, diarrhoea and accidental overdose (no AE associated with this event)[41].

Results from the phase III clinical trial suggest lower cure rates in patients with a baseline Crcl ≥30 – ≤50mL/min in patients treated with ceftazidime-avibactam metronidazole (14/31; 45%) versus those who received meropenem (26/35; 74%)[42],[43]. However, patients within this renal subgroup received a 33% lower daily dose than the package insert recommended renal adjustment[43]. Further trials are warranted to assess the use in patients with renal dysfunction. Close monitoring and careful renal adjustments are recommended for this particular patient population.

Availability, dosage and administration

Ceftazidime-avibactam (Avycaz) 2.5g for injection is supplied as a single-dose vial containing ceftazidime 2g and avibactam 0.5g as a sterile powder for reconstitution[2]. It is administered intravenously every eight hours infused over two hours in patients with a Crcl > 50mL/min. Table 4 highlights the dosing adjustments for patients with renal impairment.

a Administer ceftazidime-avibactam after haemodialysis on haemodialysis daysb Infuse all doses for two hours

>50mL/min

No adjustments

31–50

1.25g Q8H

16–30

0.94g Q12H

6–15a

0.94g Q24H

≤ 5a

0.94g Q48H

Conclusion

The addition of avibactam to ceftazidime broadens its spectrum of activity to include Gram-negative bacilli producing ESBLs, KPC and/or AmpC β-lactamases. Unfortunately, this combination does not enhance ceftazidime’s activity against class B β-lactamase-producing isolates, Acinetobacter spp., certain Burkholderia spp., MDR P. aeruginosa or most anaerobes. Based on Monte Carlo simulations, a 2g dose infused over two hours every eight hours has been proposed to maximise the pharmacodynamics of this agent. Current phase II studies have shown ceftazidime-avibactam to be as efficacious as carbapenems (+/- metronidazole) in the treatment of cIAIs as well as cUTIs (including acute pyelonephritis). Safety and efficacy trials have also shown this agent to be well tolerated with side effects similar to ceftazidime alone, with the most common being nausea, vomiting, constipation and anxiety. This agent offers clinicians hope in treating patients with limited to no therapeutic options. Results from phase III studies will offer insight on ceftazidime-avibactam’s efficacy in the treatment of seriously ill patients with hospital- and ventilator-acquired pneumonia and those with infections due to ceftazidime-resistant Gram-negative organisms. The development of other novel β-lactam/β-lactamase combinations, including ceftolozane-tazobactam, ceftaroline-avibactam, aztreonam-avibactam, imipenem-relebactam, biapenem-RPX7009 and meropenem-RPX7009, will help determine the exact role and place in therapy of ceftazidime-avibactam in the treatment of such infections.

Author disclosures and conflicts of interest:

Sharanie V Sims is on the speaker’s bureau for Allergan. Elizabeth A Neuner and Robert A Bonomo have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organisation or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. No writing assistance was used in the production of this manuscript.

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References:

[1] Department of Health. UK Five Year Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy 2013 to 2018, England: 2013. Available at: (accessed May 2017).